Fosamax May Damage Liver

Fosamax prescribed to treat and in some cases prevent osteoporosis can create some additional health concerns. A recent report in the New England Journal of Medicine found that Fosamax and other bisphosphonate drugs may cause eye inflammation, blurring of vision, painful swelling and blindness if not treated along with liver dysfunction, gastric and esophageal inflammation, ulceration of the esophagus, painful swallowing, indigestion, nausea, liver failure, skin reactions and hypocalcemia.

Scientists are not sure what mechanism may cause liver damage but one possibility is that fosamax inhibits the synthesis of cholesterol in the liver, which may alter liver function. Your doctor should monitor liver function if you are taking Fosamax.

Fosamax works by killing oestoclasts the cells that remove bone. Bone is not a static substance it is constantly being broken down and built up. Osteoclasts break down bone and osteoblasts build it up. Women used to be prescribed estrogen for bone health until the recent Women’s Health Initiative Study found the risk of stroke, blood clots, heart attack and breast cancer outweighed any benefits estrogen may have in bone health. Estrogen inhibits osteoclasts from breaking down bone Fosamax kills osteoclasts. The theory is that if bone is not broken down it will get denser by the osteoblasts building the bone up. But density is a poor predictor of bone health. Chalk is extremely dense and yet very fragile. Strong bones come from proper nutrition, weight bearing exercise and good bone nutrients taken daily.

Bone health Tips

Walk 30 minutes per day. Walking is more effective than swimming for building bone.

Buy Velcro weights at your local fitness or department store. They come in several weights from 1 to 5 pounds. Velcro them on your wrists and ankles and wear them while you do housework, gardening or on your 30 minute walk everyday. Start with one pound weights and work your way up to the heavier size. They are comfortable. Mine are filled with sand. Or join a weight class for those with osteoporosis at your local community center.

Take FemmEssentials which contain all the vitamins and minerals needed for healthy bones.

Make sure your teenagers are taking a multi-vitamin with minerals

Eat plenty of canned salmon with the bones, broccoli, sesame seeds, cabbage, kale, dark green leafy vegetables, bananas, apricots, beans, ginger, broccoli sprouts, nuts and seeds. They are good sources of magnesium and calcium along with other bone building nutrients.

De-stress, scientists know that high levels of cortisol our stress hormone causes a loss of calcium from bones. Have a massage, listen to calming music, spend time with those you love and ones that love you.

I believe there are better ways than Fosamax for bone health. Commit to weight bearing exercise, take your bone building nutrients and your bones will respond.